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  Self-powered lighting for wheeled arrangementsUSPTO Application #: 20060163960Title: Self-powered lighting for wheeled arrangements Abstract: A rotating wheel causes lights on and off the wheel to flash to create a light display. Moving pole teeth between a permanent magnet and an electromagnetic coil induce in the coil electrical pulses for flashing the lights. (end of abstract)
Agent: Kirschstein, Ottinger, Israel & Schiffmiller, P.C. - New York, NY, US Inventors: Chen Wei Cheng, Chen Wei Tong, Chen Wei Pei USPTO Applicaton #: 20060163960 - Class: 310073000 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060163960. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention generally relates to electrical lighting that is powered by circuitry supported by wheels and, more particularly, to self-generating the power for displaying the lighting during rotation of the wheels. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] It is generally known from Chinese Patent No. CN 2625000Y and CN 2624998Y to provide lights on wheels, and from U.S. Pat. No. 5,552,972 to provide a wheel capable of self-powered illumination during wheel rotation. In preferred applications, the lighted wheels are on novelty items such as toy cars or in-line skates. The known constructions, however, are complex and expensive, especially when light flashing is desired for increased visual interest. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Objects of the Invention [0005] Accordingly, it is a general object of this invention to advance the state of the art of providing wheels capable of self-illumination during rotation. [0006] More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide wheels with flashing lights whose rate of flashing corresponds to the rotational speed of the wheels. [0007] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a compact, cost-effective wheel for use with many different types of wheeled items such as toy cars, roller skates, skate boards and bicycles, as well as other recreational and non-recreational items having wheels. FEATURES OF THE INVENTION [0008] In keeping with the above objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in a self-powered lighting arrangement comprising a support having wheels. For example, the support could be a toy vehicle, a roller skate, or like recreational wheeled item, as well as non-recreational wheeled items. At least one of the wheels is rotatable about an axis. The wheel may be journaled on, or driven by, an axle. A light source, preferably a plurality of light sources, is supported by the wheel. [0009] The arrangement includes an electrical generator coupled to the light sources for generating electrical pulses to energize the sources to emit light flashes during wheel rotation. The generator includes a permanent annular magnet and an electromagnetic annular coil coaxially mounted on the axis, at least one of the magnet and the coil being mounted on the wheel for joint rotation therewith. The magnet and the coil together bound an annular gap coaxial with the axis. An electromagnetic field spans the gap. [0010] In accordance with this invention, a plurality of magnetic pole teeth is circumferentially arranged in succession in the gap around the axis. The teeth are mounted on the at least one of the magnet and the coil that is mounted for joint rotation with the wheel. The teeth successively pass through the electromagnetic field between the magnet and the coil in the gap to generate the electrical pulses. Each tooth generates one of the pulses. Preferably, the teeth are interdigitated and are jointly mounted with the coil. [0011] In accordance with another feature of the invention, auxiliary light sources are mounted remotely from the wheel, and the generator is also coupled to these auxiliary sources to cause them to also emit light flashes during wheel rotation. An electrical conductor extends past the wheel to make electrical contact with the auxiliary sources. The auxiliary sources are stationary and are arranged in patterns to create an enhanced light display. [0012] The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a radio-controlled toy car equipped with a self-powered lighting arrangement according to this invention; [0014] FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1; [0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of the arrangement of FIG. 2; [0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a roller skate equipped with a self-powered lighting arrangement according to this invention; and [0017] FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0018] FIG. 1 depicts a radio-controlled toy vehicle 10 having a plurality of wheels 12 mounted for rotation thereon, and an antenna 14 for receiving radio frequency signals from a remote control unit (not illustrated) operative for communicating with an on-board drive motor (not illustrated) energizable for controlling movement of the vehicle. Continue reading... Full patent description for Self-powered lighting for wheeled arrangements Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Self-powered lighting for wheeled arrangements patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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